Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips from Wayne HealthCare

Face it; no matter what holiday it is, food is everywhere. We tend to overeat; some of us need to unbutton the top portion of our pants, and others feel guilty and depressed. If we do not watch our calorie intake we can add a lot of unwanted calories between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

A study in 2000 of 195 adults showed an average holiday weight gain of between .75 pounds (lb) and 1 lb. However, 14% of those studied gained 5 lb or more. By eating healthy during the holidays we can help to maintain our weight and blood glucose.

There are no food items that are completely banded during the holidays. You can enjoy your favorites in small amounts. Try to cut back in other ways, and keep your exercise schedule on track.

To stay on track and not overeat during the holidays, try some of these tips.

  • Survey the entire table before you take any food. Decide what foods are worth eating and which you can ignore, and then stick to that decision.
  • Have a small snack before leaving home. This will prevent you from going directly to the buffet table and staying there.
  • Eat your calories instead of drinking them. Stick to lower calorie or calorie-free drinks (diet pop, water, lite beer, or a wine spritzer), instead of punches, eggnog, and mixed drinks that can have up to 500 calories/cup.
  • Offer to bring lower calorie food items to the party.
  • Watch your portion sizes. Do not cover your plate completely with food.
  • Enjoy your favorite holiday treats, but take a small portion, eat slowly, and savor the taste and texture of the wonderful foods of the season.

To learn more about holiday eating consider joining the Free Monthly Diabetes Program at Wayne HealthCare. On December 1, 2011 Karen Droesch RD,LD,CDE will be presenting the program “Holiday Eating”. To learn more about diabetes consider attending Diabetic Group Classes at Wayne HealthCare. The December group classes will be held on December 5, 7, 12, and 14, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To learn more about the diabetes educational programs at Wayne HealthCare call 937-547-5750.

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